Well Water Test - What should one test for? What tests are important?

I am going to do a before/after test on my well. It has been tested as I have outlined here in other posts.

I am about to buy a system and want to make sure it is going to do what needs to be done.

A local lab here has an "initial well test package" that tests for:

"Total Coliform, TDS, Nitrate Nitrite, Chloride, Iron, Manganese, Sulfate, Hardness, pH screen, Alkalinity"

They want $200 to do this.

Is there anything that should be tested that this test does not cover?

Are there other better places to get the tests done? I assume there are online testing services available. Does anyone know of some good ones?

Thanks!

 

I suggest using e-watertest.com, which is mail-order testing lab. They've been around for many years and offer a robust test for at least 200 parameters at a cost below $200. I've used them over the years and find their service is top-notch. They own their lab and the lab director is the principal owner.

You will find other mail-order testing services out there, but many of the ones that pop up in a Google search are only marketing companies who do not own their lab--instead, they farm it out. A couple of examples are watertestamerica.com (this company says it's their lab, but, in fact I know it isn't) and watertestingusa.com

 

If your primary interest is the effectiveness of filter equipment you install you should chose the tests based on the equipment installed--so if you were installing a softener you might chose to test for total hardness, iron, and manganese. If you are installing an acid neutralizing filter you would test for pH.

On the other hand, if your initial test is to determine the equipment you need a wider range of tests may be appropriate.